Police have seized approximately $2 million in assets and arrested six people following an operation into organised crime in the region.
Over the past three days, Eastern District Police, backed up by the National Organised Crime Group have executed several search warrants targeting senior members of the Mongrel Mob across Hawke’s Bay.
Detective Inspector Rob Jones said the warrants were the result of an 18-month investigation, dubbed “operation Dusk”.
Additional search warrants executed targeted other organised crime groups including members of the Black Power and Outlaws Motorcycle gangs.
Five residential addresses have been restrained pursuant to the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act, along with fifteen motor vehicles, two trucks, four Harley Davidson motorbikes and jewellery.
Mr Jones said additionally, 14 firearms including military style semi-automatic weapons and pistols, ammunition, illicit drugs including methamphetamine, cannabis and synthetics and large quantities of cash were recovered. Two businesses are also being assessed for their links to organised crime. Six individuals have been arrested to date, and will face serious drug and firearms charges. As the operation is ongoing, Mr Jones said Police are not ruling out further arrests, restraints or charges.
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As the COVID vaccine rollout continues around the country, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board has been vaccinating rest home residents around the region.
DHB spokesperson Suzanne Stewart said there was a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Mt Herbert rest home yesterday, and two more on Monday at Woburn rest home and Pukeora.
She said they are currently finishing off group 2 vaccinations and will be moving to group 3 – those over 65, people with relevant underlying health conditions and disabled people – next.
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The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Fund is to grant up to $10,000 to help local community group Sustainable Ewe in their bid to reduce waste going into local landfills.
Sustainable Ewe runs a website and Facebook page devoted to sustainable living - including recycling and reducing waste, preserving, gardening, water conservation and more.
Four-years-ago, the group launched ‘The Great Bucket Rescue,’ which recycles more than 200, 15-litre food grade buckets per week into Bokashi composting kits, worm farms and chook feeders. The kits are then distributed throughout Central Hawke’s Bay and beyond, with profits from their sale used to provide free kits for more than 30 schools in the district.
The funding from the Council will go towards a designated trailer to make it easier to transport the buckets, as well as serving as a one-stop education hub, to share knowledge about the management of green waste, food waste and recycling.
Sustainable Ewe Founder Neen Kennedy said having the trailer meant “everything” and was a huge next step for the organisation.
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council Deputy Mayor and Strategy and Wellbeing Committee Chair Kelly Annand said the trailer will allow Sustainable Ewe to reach more groups and deliver more community workshops to promote education about waste minimisation and sustainability.
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Weekend Sports Draw
Netball : It is a local match-up in the Hawke’s Bay Super 8 competition tonight. Otane Thirsty Whale, who are unbeaten so far, will play Central Sports Vet Services HB, who sit fourth on the table. That game is at 7.30 tonight at the PettiGrew Green Arena.
Rugby
Manawatu : Both the Dannevirke Seniors and Dannevirke Colts will play Feilding in Feilding. Both games are at 12.45pm at Johnston Park.
Bush :After an opening round win last week, Puketoi are away playing Martinborough.
Hawkes Bay
